Although many people do swap artist trading cards at face-to-face trading sessions, most exchanges are carried out by mail with other members of internet swap groups. We take a look at some of the best artist trading card groups we have found…
Here are some of which we have personal experience:
UK Only ATC As the name suggests, this is an artist trading card group for those who would like to trade with other enthusiasts who live in the United Kingdom.
UKATC This is another group for those who wish to swap artist trading cards with others in the United Kingdom. This is an active group, with themed monthly swaps, and additional voluntary swaps that often explore new techniques.
Mixed Media ATC UK This artist trading card group is mainly for enthusiasts who live in the United Kingdom. What we like about this group is the emphasis on the use of mixed media, including such materials as fabric, plastic, metal and wood, as well as the more usual paper-crafting techniques. The group describes itself as being for those who 'like a challenge and want to try something new'.
Katy's Corner UK Despite its name, this group welcomes members from all over the world. It's for rubber stamping enthusiasts who like to swap artist trading cards and other things that they've made, share ideas, hints and tips, and learn new techniques. The members are chatty and friendly, and their work is of a high standard. This is another active group, with regular monthly swaps and other activities.
Advanced Artist Trading Cards UK Here's another artist trading card group that in spite of its name welcomes members from all over the world. The group owner says "It's especially for those with experience who like doing what I call advanced ATCs… It's UK based but international members are most welcome."
The emphasis with this group is very much on the quality of the finished work, both artistically and in more physical terms, and it's not really for those new to artist trading cards. You may be asked to submit photographs of your work before you are accepted.
You need to be a Yahoo! member to join any of these groups, but you will be prompted to sign up if you have not already done so. For further details of each group, including swap commitments, please click on the appropriate link above.
Now let's take a look at some of the ATC swap groups that our visitors have told us about:
A while ago Kathryn from Cyprus nominated ATCards.com as her favourite artist trading card group, but we understand from Elena in New Jersey, USA that this group has now been replaced by ATCs for All, which describes itself as focussing on 'friendly ATC trading and swapping in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere'. She says that members from all over the world are welcome, and that there are themed swaps and individual trades.
Members work with a wide variety of media and techniques, including painting, drawing, collage, fabric and clay, to give just a few examples, and also make and trade other forms of altered and mixed-media art. For more information please click on the link above.
Patti has written from Oregon, USA to recommend Monthly ATC Swappers at Swap-Bot. You need to be a Swap-Bot member and logged in to access the group page, but you'll be prompted to sign up if you have not already done so.
This describes itself as an international group for those who would like to swap artist trading cards on a more regular schedule. There are two different themed swaps each month, but there is no obligation to sign up for every one.
By coincidence, I've been following a couple of recent discussions on Flickr about Swap-Bot trading groups. There seemed to be general approval for the rating system and the policy of suspending those members who didn't fulfil their swap obligations. However, there was strong disapproval of a swap host who was apparently allowing participants to replace the original artist's details on the back of ATCs with their own.
Favourite artist trading card group not listed?
Do you have a favourite ATC swap group that we haven't listed, which you would like to recommend to other enthusiasts?
If you would like us to consider your favourite artist trading card group for inclusion in our list, please tell us about it by clicking on the link below.
As the name suggests, this is an artist trading card group for those who would like to trade with other enthusiasts who live in the United Kingdom.
